It is secretly believed that the word ‘startup’ is another fancy word for challenges, innovation, and unrelenting determination. For entrepreneurs, nothing serves as a better source of inspiration than the stories of those who have turned their vision into successful ventures.
One notable name that pops up when examining inspiring startup founder stories is that of Melanie Perkins, the co-founder of Canva, the popular online graphic tool that has revolutionized how people create content.
The Australian entrepreneur built Canva to democratize accessibility to design platforms, which went on to rival the tech giants. Today, Canva is one of the world’s most successful startups, reaching unicorn status within six years.
However, Melanie’s journey towards realizing success wasn’t without hurdles. Early growth relied on word-of-mouth and viral marketing strategies. She is a living proof that, despite struggles, a founder can overcome any obstacle.
Let’s delve into the story of Melanie Perkins, the visionary founder of Canva, and how her remarkable journey helped reshape the world of design.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1987 and raised in Perth, Australia, Melanie’s journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur began at a tender age. Daughter to an Australian-born teacher and a Malaysian engineer, she had once aspired to be a professional figure skater, making do with 4:30 a.m. wake-up calls before enrolling at the University of Western Australia where she pursued a degree in Communications.
By the age of 14, she was already making and selling scarves in her hometown for extra cash. At the University, she worked as a private tutor for graphic design students. It is during this time that she noticed how frustrating and complex software like Adobe Photoshop was for many.
The Birth of an Idea and Canva
Working as a tutor made Melanie realize a gap in the market for a simpler, more collaborative tool. She envisioned and launched the design platform, Fusion Books that needed no technical skills, only an intuitive online graphic editor she called ‘the world’s graphic design platform.’
In 2007, Melanie Perkins together with co-founder Cliff Obrecht, now husband, decided to turn her idea into a full-fledged business. They begun by creating Canva, an online platform that aimed to ease graphic design for everyone.
Rejection and Funding
Melanie’s success with Fusion Books was highly evident after it was adopted by 16 Australian schools in its first year. Over the following years, the platform expanded across Australia, New Zealand, and France, fast becoming the leading software provider.
However, the success of Canva was never short of challenges. Melanie and her team encountered hurdles during their visits to Silicon Valley, getting shut down and dismissed. But their perseverance eventually paid off.
Melanie returned to Australia in 2012 and secured $3 million in funding, including $1.6 million from investors and $1.4 million in matching funds from the Australian government after recognizing Canva’s effort to boost the economy.
Growth and Expansion
Canva was officially launched in 2013, making it possible for users to create everything from social media graphics to presentations. In 2014, it received its first major funding round, which helped fuel its expansion.
Under Melanie Perkins’ leadership, Canva has achieved remarkable milestones. The platform now boasts millions of users worldwide and has been valued in the billions of dollars. As of 2024, Canva boasted 185 million active users, a $26 billion valuation, and annual recurring revenue of about $2.3 billion.
Melanie Perkin’s journey from a university student with an idea to the leader of a billion-dollar company is a story of resilience, determination, and staying true to one’s vision.
